Iron ore remains the most common metal raw material in the world thanks to its vast reserves, accessibility, and ease of extraction. This was reported to the agency “Prime” by Antonina Levashenko, Head of the International Best Practices Analysis Department at the Gaidar Institute.
According to Rosnedr data for 2025, global iron ore resources are estimated at nearly 815.5 billion tons. The largest deposits are located in Australia, Russia, China, Brazil, and India. According to Antonina Levashenko, iron ore reserves are nearly twice as large as those of the second most common metal raw material — bauxite, used for aluminum production.
The expert emphasized that iron ore is primarily used in metallurgy and construction for the production of steel and alloys; however, iron is also used in the food industry—for example, in food packaging to absorb oxygen and extend shelf life.
“Iron ore remains a fundamental resource for global industry thanks to a combination of vast reserves, low cost, and versatility of application. Despite the development of high technologies, it is steel and metallurgy that continue to form the foundation of infrastructure, mechanical engineering, and construction in virtually every country in the world,” noted Antonina Levashenko.